Hurricane Idalia

Crawford & Company responds to Tropical Storm Idalia.

Our 24/7 claims intake service is ready to assist insurers.

Visit our services page to learn more about our claims adjusting offerings. If you require further information on our response or should you need adjusting assistance, please contact our team.

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Updates

Aug 30, 2023

10PM ET:

Hurricane Idalia has downgraded to a Tropical Storm as it travels through South Carolina. Those in it's path are seeing heavy rains, winds up to 65 mph, and many power outages. Other dangers include flash flooding and possible tornadoes.

Crawford & Company is preparing to assist our clients with restoration as soon as possible.

8AM ET:

Hurricane Idalia strengthened to a Category 3 Hurricane early this morning. It made landfall right before 8AM in the Big Bend region of Florida.

The storm is already causing flooding, dangerous winds, and record storm surges. It is expected to remain a hurricane throughout today as it travels through Florida and into Georgia. North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia have also declared a state of emergency and opened up emergency adjuster registration. See below for each area's process.

GEORGIA:

• If the adjuster is licensed for the State of GA they will not need to be registered.
• The adjuster must hold an active adjuster license in their resident state. If the adjuster resides in a non-licensing state they must have an active designated home state license.
• An adjuster who does not hold a license in any state will not be able to register, but will need to obtain a permanent GA adjuster license to handle claims for this storm. The adjuster will need to take the GA exam since they do not have a license to reciprocate.
• Please email the following information to the Compliance Department.
  • Completed Citizenship Affidavit form and front and back copy of the adjuster’s drivers license. Please make sure supporting documents are legible -

https://ociga.seamlessdocs.com/f/citizenshipaffidavit

• Copy of their adjuster license
• EE#
• Date the adjuster will be entering the state to begin handling catastrophe related claims
• This registration is only good for 60 days. If the adjuster will be handling claims from this storm event for more than 60 days, then they will need to apply for the permanent adjuster license. No extension can be filed.
• There is no fee required for this registration.
• The time period of the emergency adjuster registration is determined by the Governor.

SOUTH CAROLINA:

Emergency permits for non-SC licensed adjusters must be obtained by the insurers/carriers.

• To be appointed as an emergency adjuster, adjusters need to have an adjuster license in their home state.
• If the adjuster does not enter South Carolina, they are unable to apply for the permit. They can apply for a non-resident adjuster license through NIPR.
• An applicant for non-resident adjuster license shall be a citizen of the United States or provide documentation that the applicant is a properly registered alien residing in the United States.
• There is no fee for the appointment of emergency adjusters.
• The adjuster must have an emergency adjuster permit for each company that they are handling claims for.
• Emergency adjusters will need to have issued their emergency adjuster permit before handling losses related to the catastrophe.
• The emergency adjuster permit is valid for 60 days from the date a South Carolina Emergency Bulletin is issued.
• Please send email to the Compliance Department with the following items for adjusters who will be registered with insurers for South Carolina emergency adjuster licenses: the names of the adjusters and confirmation of the issuance of their emergency adjuster permit. This is for tracking purposes, and to update the licensing system with the emergency license information to avoid exceptions.
• Adjusters who already have a permanent South Carolina adjuster license, with the applicable lines of authority needed for assigned losses from the storm, do not need to obtain an emergency permit through the carrier.
• The adjuster will need to log into their account through SC Online Services and select “Licensed Adjuster Emergency Reentry Permit”, and then click “Add Adjuster Permit” and the SC system will add the catastrophe so the adjusters can print their permits. For any adjusters doing this, please send their names to the Compliance Department for tracking and for update to the licensing system.
• This link outlines South Carolina’s emergency adjuster appointment procedures.

NORTH CAROLINA:

• To be registered as an emergency adjuster, adjusters need to have an active resident or DHS license in a U.S. state or have sufficient amount of adjusting experience if they do not hold an adjuster license.
• All adjusters assigned to handle claims must register and complete the new NC CAT Adjuster Certification Course. The CAT adjuster course is available via this link:

NC CAT Adjuster Certification Course

• All adjusters assigned to handle claims must have a badge from the NC Department of Insurance. The badge will be provided by the Compliance Department and will include the adjusters name and the name of the adjusting company/firm for which they are working. ONLY ADJUSTERS WHO ARE ASSIGNED CLAIMS FROM THE CATASTROPHE WILL BE PROVIDED A BADGE. If emergency adjusters do not have the badge, they cannot commence emergency adjustment work.
• The Compliance Department will provide the North Carolina Licensing Section, Agent Services Division, the information required to register emergency adjusters. Please provide the adjusters name, state of residence, licensure status, state of licensure (if applicable) and carrier name that each adjuster is handling claims. This information should be emailed to the Compliance Department.

THE EMERGENCY LICENSING REQUIREMENT ONLY APPLIES TO AN ADJUSTER HANDLING CLAIMS FOR A COMPANY THAT IS AUTHORIZED TO DO BUSINESS IN NC. IF NOT AUTHORIZED THE ADJUSTER MUST OBTAIN A PERMANENT NC ADJUSTER LICENSE.

• There is no fee for the emergency adjuster registration.
• The time period of the emergency adjuster registration is determined by the Commissioner; the badges being issued have an expiration date of 5/31/2024.

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Aug 29, 2023

10PM ET:

Hurricane Idalia has strengthened to a Category 2 Hurricane as of Tuesday night. Effects of the storm are already being seen, as a Tornado Watch has been issued for over 7 million people in Florida until 6AM ET.

The Hurricane is still expected to make landfall early Wednesday morning. Crawford remains ready to assist our clients and anyone in the projected storm path.

9AM ET:

Tropical Storm Idalia is now Hurricane Idalia, and it continues to strengthen as it heads towards Florida's Gulf Coast. As of this morning, Hurricane Idalia was roughly 370 miles southwest of Tampa, and is expected to make landfall on Wednesday.

Currently, the biggest warning is storm surge which at its peak could cause water to rise as high as 12 feet. Other effects include possible tornadoes before landfall, flash flooding, heavy winds and intense rainfall.

Crawford & Company continues to closely monitor this storm path and work with our adjusters and clients to be ready to restore as soon as we're able.

The state of Florida has now opened the emergency adjuster registration for Hurricane Idalia. Please see below for registration instructions.

FLORIDA:

• A Florida adjuster license and appointment is required to handle claims. The appointment can be with Crawford and Company, or a self-appointment.
• An emergency adjuster license can be obtained if an adjuster does not currently hold an active adjuster license in Florida.
  • The fee for each emergency adjuster license is $67.45. The fee will be charged to the branch.
  • The emergency adjuster license is valid for 180 days unless a shorter time frame is specified.
  • The emergency adjuster license must have an appointment.
  • For an adjuster to qualify for and obtain a Florida emergency adjuster license, the independent adjusting firm must have determined that the adjuster is qualified to handle adjusting work and has provided the adjuster with proof of authority.
  • The emergency adjuster license is to be used only for the adjustment of losses directly resulting from the catastrophe. The emergency adjuster license will cover any storms during the time period that the license was issued for.
• A temporary license does NOT allow an adjuster to handle claims coming from the declared emergency.
• The Compliance Department will apply for emergency adjuster licenses. We have a company account set up through the Florida DFS online portal, which is why we apply for the emergency license on behalf of the adjuster.
  • The following information is required by Florida for each adjuster who will apply for an emergency adjuster license:
    • Social Security Number
    • Date of Birth
    • Addresses (Home, Business, Mailing, and E-Mail)
    • Phone Numbers (Home and Business)
    • Answers to a select set of background questions required by the state.
  • Once the emergency adjuster license has been applied for, we will send the adjuster a letter confirming that the emergency adjuster license has been submitted and applied for, and the letter will also state what company the emergency adjuster license is under. This letter allows the adjuster to commence emergency adjustment work for Crawford WHILE THEIR EMERGENCY LICENSE IS PENDING ISSUANCE.
  • The emergency adjuster license application typically takes a few business days to be processed, and then the emergency adjuster license should be issued.
  • The adjuster will need to create a MyProfile account, if they do not already have one. The adjuster will be able to access their emergency adjuster license in MyProfile once it is issued, as well as receive alerts from the state if there are any issues with processing their emergency license application. Here is a link to MyProfile: https://dice.fldfs.com/public/pb_index.aspx.
  • When the adjuster no longer requires their emergency adjuster license, the appointment with Crawford will be cancelled by the Compliance Team.
• Link to the Florida Division of Insurance Agent and Agency Services Emergency Adjuster License page: https://www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/AGENTS/Licensure/EmergencyAdjusters/default.htm
• Citizen Requirement
  • All applicants must be a United States citizen or legal alien who possesses work authorization from the United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services.
  • If you are an applicant for licensure, you must submit documentation that supports your Legal Alien with work Authorization status to the Department.
• For Crawford Loss Adjusters:
  • The adjuster will be required to answer the background questions on the attached document.
  • The attached spreadsheet will need to be completed and emailed back to the Compliance Team.
• For Crawford Catastrophe Adjusters:
  • The Compliance Team will be emailing the attached documents to the adjusters directly.
  • You will be required to provide the adjuster contact information in a spreadsheet to the Compliance Team.
  • The company must process the application.

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Aug 28, 2023

Currently a Tropical Storm, Idalia is predicted to become a major hurricane before making landfall later this week, according to the National Hurricane Center. Located south of the western tip of Cuba, the storm has winds of 65 mph, and is expected to increase to 115 mph before it hits land.

Idalia is expected to hit land on Wednesday, 8/30 as a Category 3 Hurricane and include a storm surge up to 11 feet, damaging winds, flash flooding, isolated tornadoes and power outages, according to the National hurricane Center. There are currently 33 counties in a state of emergency in Florida - anyone in the path of Idalia is urged to prepare for the storm now, as it will make landfall quickly.

Crawford Catastrophe Services is actively working with clients and adjusters to be ready for deployment. We are surveying locations along I-75 in South Georgia near the North Florida border for a support room to help the impacted areas as soon as it is safe to do so. We are committed to restoring the lives of our clients impacted by the storm and fully prepared to deliver mitigation and restoration services to affected communities.